Red Sox turned down Chicago White Sox former top prospect trade offer: Report

With the Chicago White Sox engulfed in another disastrous season, the focus is solely on the future. Because of that, the franchise is looking to cash-in on any tradeable talent when necessary.

Things will heat up once the trade deadline gets closer. Teams will have a better idea of what they need for the stretch run and what kind of talent is actually available. But one thing is for certain, the White Sox will be sellers.

Before those festivities kick off, Chicago tried to swing an under-the-radar trade with the Boston Red Sox. With Tristan Casas injured and Bobby Dalbec designated for assignment, the Chicago offered him to Boston. However, the latter declined the White Sox’s offer and decided to go in a different direction, via Sean McAdam of MassLive.

“Prior to designating Bobby Dalbec for assignment — and after the season-ending injury to Triston Casas — the White Sox checked in with the Red Sox to see if they had any interest in their former corner infielder,” McAdam wrote. “They did not. Casas subsequently signed a minor league deal with Milwaukee.”

For the record, Dalbec was the one to sign a minor league deal with the Brewers as Cases underwent season-ending surgery.

Bobby Dalbec’s road to and departure from Chicago White Sox 

Dalbec began his career with the Red Sox as a fourth-round pick, making their refusal to take him back in a trade very telling. As recently as 2021, he ranked as high as the No. 3 prospect in Boston’s organization, via MLB Pipeline. However, Dalbec has yet to put things completely together at the major league level.

Over his five years with the Red Sox, Dalbec hit .222 with 47 home runs 142 RBI and nine stolen bases. Most of that production came between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, where he had 37 home runs, 117 RBI and five steals. But after that 2022 campaign, Dalbec completely fell off the map. He never played in more than 31 games at the major league level. In his final campaign in Boston, he hit just .133 with one home run, eight RBI and three steals.

Still, the White Sox were intrigued by Dalbec’s prospect pedigree and signed him to minor league contract. He performed well enough in the minors to get another opportunity in the bigs. But over his seven games with the team, he hit .222 with an RBI and no other counting stats. Chicago ended the experiment early and designated him for assignment. Now, Dalbec is with the Brewers’ Triple-A team.

Ultimately, the White Sox wouldn’t have gotten a lot in a Dalbec trade. However, it would’ve been some form of return rather than watching him walk for free. Still, the corner infielder never lived up to his prospect hype. Even playing for a Chicago team with nothing to lose, Dalbec missed his shot. In turn, the Red Sox decided they are going to avoid a reunion.